August is prime time for fishing and boating, and many continue to enjoy the wide variety of waterborne sports across the Chesapeake Bay Region. Early morning and late evening hikes through the countryside include sightings of whitetail deer and wild turkeys. This reminds those who enjoy hunting that fall is just around the corner from late summer and with it, the start of another outdoor season. A primer and tune-up for the upcoming hunting season takes place on August 11-13 when the annual Virginia Outdoor Sportsman Show takes place. Sponsored by the Virginia Deer Hunters Association (VDHA), this huge fun-filled event has something for the whole family. Show hours are, Friday August 11- 4:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M., Saturday August 12- 9:00A.M. To 7:00 P.M. and Sunday August 13- 10:00 A.M to 6:00 P.M. For additional information, call (804) 748-7529 or visit the website, http://www.sportsmanshow.com.

     The 2006 Virginia Deer Classic is sponsored by Swedish Match. Organized by the VDHA, this annual contest which takes place at the Outdoor Sportsman Show gives hunters the opportunity to compete their deer harvested in Virginia through many different size and group classes. Judges are provided by the VDHA and the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF) Competition classes include 6 points and below, 7 & 8 points, 9,10 & 11 points and 12 points and above. The Divisions for competition are gun, bow and youth 17 and under, muzzle loading, and women, typical and non-typical in each class and a Historical Division that allows for entering any deer taken from a previous season in Virginia. There is a $25 entry fee which includes VDHA membership and a 3 day pass to the Outdoor Sportsman Show. In order to enter a deer, applicants must bring to the show a certified DGIF Game Check Card or a confirmation number from the DGIF Telephone Checking System. Entries in the 2006 Virginia Deer Classic can be entered from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Friday August 11 and then again on Saturday August 12 from 9:00 a.m. until the deadline at 5:00 P.M. Entries are returned on Sunday at 5:00 p.m., when the award ceremony begins in the ShowPlace Seminar Area. For additional information, call ,b>Denny Quaiff at 804-743-1290 or visit the website at, http://www.sportsmanshow.com.

     Another mainstay of the annual Outdoor Sportsman Show is the Hunters for the Hungry (HFH booth and program. Since 1991, this endeavor has provided venison to Virginia's needy. To date HFH has distributed more than 2,649,127 pounds of venison to the Commonwealth's less fortunate. Deer donated by hunters, farmers and landowners are processed into venison and distributed through a network of social services, churches, soup kitchens, food banks, The Salvation Army and hunger relief charities. Dedicated volunteers coordinate distribution but there is a cost to having the meat prepared by certified butchers. The average cost to process a donated deer is $40, but HFH accepts all donation amounts. Donations area tax deductible as HFH is a 501(C) (3) charity. For additional information on HFH or the activities they have planned for the 2006 Outdoors Sportsman Show, call 1-800-352-4868 or visit their website at http://www.h4hungry.org.

     With over 280 vendors and exhibition booths at the 2006 event, the Outdoor Sportsman Show has lots to offer. The youngsters will be especially interested in visiting with popular clowns, Dimples & Honee-be. Also featured will be the Virginia State Turkey Calling Contest and the Virginia State Champion Duck Calling Contest. For additional information on the 2006 show, call Hugh Crittenden at (804) 748-7529 or visit the website at, http://www.sportsmanshow.com.

© 2006 Steve and Chelly Scala All Rights Reserved